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Chris "CT" Turner
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GED TESTING SEES ITS HIGHEST TEST-TAKER INCREASE IN SEVEN YEARS, NEW REPORT FINDS

Washington, D.C. (August 4, 2008)—GED Testing Service™ today announced that the number of adults who took the GED Tests in 2007 rose to nearly 729,000, and almost a half million adults passed the test battery during the same period. According to the 2007 GED_® Testing Program Statistical Report, this is the highest annual number of adults who have tested and the highest number who passed the test battery since 2001. Just over 714,000 adults tested in 2006, for an increase of almost 15,000.

"We applaud the more than 451,000 adults who passed the GED Tests in 2007," said Sylvia E. Robinson, American Council on Education assistant vice president and executive director of the GED Testing Service. "This report demonstrates real progress in our efforts to serve more adults who do not have a traditional high school diploma and to increase the opportunities for adults to enter into the national work force through continuing education.";

ACE President Molly Corbett Broad, added, "Inasmuch as knowledge-based jobs have become the cornerstone of the U.S. economy, the need for an educated work force cannot be overstated. It is projected that 90 percent of the fastest growing occupations through the year 2014 will require postsecondary education. The American Council on Education is proud that its GED testing program can provide a powerful second chance for individuals who are without a high school credential."

U.S. programs that significantly increased the amount of adult testers in 2007 were Indiana, Mississippi, Connecticut, Nevada and Florida. Each state reported at least a 10 percent increase. Additionally, 10 states reported an above-average passing rate of 85 percent or higher in 2007: Iowa, Delaware, Kansas, Vermont, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, Maine, North Carolina and Oregon. Administrators in these states credit flexible program schedules and test preparation materials such as free practice tests, one-on-one preparation and the Official GED Practice Test (OPT) as the essential tools for facilitating higher pass rates.

"Association with the Adult Education Program in North Carolina's Community College System has significantly improved our pass rates in our GED testing program," stated Lou Ann Parker, North Carolina GED administrator. "By offering classes Monday through Sunday, in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings at each of our 58 community colleges throughout the state, we can meet the needs of candidates with different schedules. We also require the student to take and pass the OPT before attempting the GED Tests."

Executive Director Robinson added, "Even with the increase in testing numbers and pass rates, there are still many challenges ahead as we move forward with the goals of our FY2010 strategic plan, which include working to increase the number of adults who earn their GED credentials."

The 2000 U.S. Census data indicates that more than 30 million adults—more than 16 percent—of the U.S. population are without a high school credential. A separate report produced by Education Week estimated that more than 1 million students would fail to graduate high school in the 2006–07 school year.

The 2007 GED® Testing Program Statistical Report is available as a complimentary PDF download at www.GEDtest.org and is also available for $25.00 per copy plus shipping and handling from the ACE Fulfillment Service at (301) 632-6757. Orders can also be placed on the ACE web site at www.acenet.edu/bookstore.

About GED Testing Service
The General Educational Development Testing Service™ (GEDTS) is a program of the American Council on Education (ACE) which develops, delivers, and safeguards the GED Tests, setting the policy for and ensuring compliance of GED test battery administration. GED testing is administered by each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, the Canadian provinces and territories, the U.S. insular areas, U.S. military and federal correctional institutions. Each jurisdiction manages its own GED testing program.

About ACE
Founded in 1918, ACE is the major coordinating body for all the nation's higher education institutions, representing more than 1,600 college and university presidents, and more than 200 related associations, nationwide. It seeks to provide leadership and a unifying voice on key higher education issues and influence public policy through advocacy, research, and program initiatives.

GED Testing Service is a program of the American Council on Education_®.

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This page last updated on 11/14/2008